Lu Qing Wan, however, dared not make any rash guarantees at this time. She only said, "Commander Wen, please retrieve some items that Princess Ru Ge frequently used and that the imposter has not touched. Handkerchiefs, hairpins, or anything that retains a scent for a long time will do. The princess has been missing for half a year, so I cannot guarantee that I can bring her back whole. However, I swear that I will either bring her back alive or find her body. I will not let the princess remain unaccounted for."
Such words, rather than blind assurances, put Wen Ru Song more at ease. At least he was certain that Lu Qing Wan would do her utmost to find Wen Ru Ge. Thus, he solemnly agreed, "I will personally bring the items to the Princess Consort when I enter the palace tomorrow. I entrust my younger sister's whereabouts to you, Princess Consort."
Lu Qing Wan accepted his commission seriously. "Although I have dispelled the imposter's inner strength, she remains a potential threat within the manor. Commander Wen, you should either find an excuse to send her away, or take the time to inform the elders. Do so tactfully, so that they have time to process the news."
Wen Ru Song nodded meekly, remaining silent.
Lu Qing Wan lightly tapped the carriage wall. "To Bu Ye Zhou."
Wen Ru Song looked up in astonishment. "Princess Consort is not going to the Jin Wu Guard barracks?"
"No," Lu Qing Wan replied, her expression unchanged. "Thank you for escorting me this far, Commander Wen. You are free to go."
Lu Qing Wan had never publicly declared Bu Ye Zhou as her territory, but over time, those close to her had come to realize it. Knowing that Lu Qing Wan was going to attend to personal matters, Wen Ru Song wisely took his leave.
As soon as Wen Ru Song dismounted, Li Su slipped into the carriage. "Is the Princess Consort heading to Bu Ye Zhou now? Should we send a message to the Prince and the strategist to return earlier?"
Lu Qing Wan lifted a corner of the curtain to admire the scenery of the new capital's streets, her eyes not batting an inch. "No need. They are attending to important matters, not indulging in leisure. There's no reason to call them back prematurely. However, it would be good to inform Shen Tang Zhou and arrange a meeting in advance."
Li Su was delighted, feeling she was finally useful. Gleefully, she poked her head out of the carriage and ordered her attendant behind her, "Have you heard the Princess Consort's words? Tell Shen Tang Zhou to come to Bu Ye Zhou and await the Princess Consort's instructions."
The guard acknowledged the order and galloped away.
Lu Qing Wan leaned by the window, gazing at the bustling street scene, and mused, "There aren't many Wu clan people on the streets of the new capital. How can the Lin family's business gather so many Wu clan people?"
Upon hearing this, Li Su glanced out. The people on the street were dressed similarly to those in Shang Jing, and their appearances were almost identical. Indeed, there was no visible difference. She then retracted her head.
"Princess Consort may not know, but before the establishment of Da Gan, the Wu clan was a small kingdom here. After Da Gan was founded, the Wu clan people were always causing trouble. The Da Gan court then forcibly assimilated the Wu clan people, making them wear Hua clan clothing, speak Hua clan language, and forbidding their serpent totem sacrifices. Over time, the Wu clan people were indeed significantly reformed."
Listening to Li Su, Lu Qing Wan found the process of ethnic assimilation strangely familiar. She mused, "If that's the case, shouldn't the Wu clan people have long been accustomed to the court's rule and lived in harmony with the Hua clan people? Why are they still colluding with that local emperor, Lin Dong Ye?"
Li Su sighed repeatedly. "It has always been like this in areas where the uncivilized tribes reside! It's much better now. Although they still worship the serpent totem and stick together, their attire, diet, and language are largely the same as everyone else's. Currently, only in the rural areas where Wu clan people gather do they still adhere to the old Wu traditions. Unfortunately, the Lin family's business prospered by trading with those Wu clan tribes. So..."
Li Su stopped short, but her meaning was clear: Da Gan's assimilation of the Wu clan was not thorough. And unfortunately, the Lin family's business that Lu Qing Wan encountered had deep ties with the uncivilized faction of the Wu clan.
Seeing that Lu Qing Wan seemed to be in a less cheerful mood due to her words, Li Su quickly tried to appease her. "But Princess Consort, please do not worry. The Prince has already ordered Li Qing to thoroughly investigate the specific situation of the Wu clan near the new capital. You will not be kept in the dark."
The Lin family's business had deep roots near the new capital, its influence even surpassing that of a regional governor. After Lu Qing Wan reviewed the detailed information on the Lin family's business, she realized that to compete with them, one had to start with the Wu clan, on which the Lin family's survival depended. Si Feng Wu had clearly perceived this as well, hence his prior arrangement for someone to understand the Wu clan's situation. On this point, husband and wife once again had a meeting of minds.
Thinking of this, Lu Qing Wan's lips curved into a pleased smile. Just then, the carriage stopped, and Ying Yi's voice was heard from outside. "Princess Consort, we have arrived at Bu Ye Zhou."
Lu Qing Wan lifted the curtain, revealing a bustling marketplace. Everywhere, flags fluttered in the wind, bearing the words "Bu Ye Zhou." Looking out, the entire street had a generally unified style, yet each shop had its own distinct characteristics. The passersby were even more numerous than in Shang Jing's Bu Ye Zhou.
Lu Qing Wan exclaimed in surprise, "This Bu Ye Zhou, was it truly all arranged by that girl Yun Ying?" Discussions could actually take place anywhere, but she specifically chose Bu Ye Zhou for two reasons: first, she was tired of being confined in the deep palace and wanted some fresh air; second, she wanted to see what this Bu Ye Zhou had become. The current scene far exceeded her expectations. Crucially, Shang Jing's Bu Ye Zhou was in the suburbs, Zhong Zhou's was on a pleasure boat, but this Bu Ye Zhou occupied an entire street in the heart of the new capital! She had never expected that without her much involvement, the youngsters of Bu Ye Zhou had already built a rudimentary comprehensive commercial street. Looking at the lively street, Lu Qing Wan felt as if piles of silver were beckoning her.
Li Su also nodded cheerfully. "I heard that in communicating with merchants, both Li Jin and Wu Ying sent people to assist her, and she handled the rest herself."
Lu Qing Wan sighed in amazement. "I truly didn't expect that the little maid who used to tremble in fear at the sight of a few black-clothed figures would be a business prodigy. Did I, once again, just happen to stumble upon good luck?"
Li Su chuckled. "Princess Consort, please don't joke. Yun Ying is capable, but is this capability not also taught to her by you? Yun Ying, Wu Ying, and even Li Jin have all learned many unique skills from you over the years, intentionally or unintentionally. In the end, everyone has benefited from the Princess Consort's guidance."
Lu Qing Wan smiled without speaking, following Ying Yi forward for a distance. She pointed at the tallest building in the center. "This is our base, right?"